An In-depth Comparison Between ENFP and INFP Personality Types

INFP- Introversion iNtuition Feeling Perceiving. ENFP- Extraversion iNtuition Feeling Perceiving. Though intuition plays an important role in both personalities, these two personality types differ considerably from one another. Buzzle gives you an in-depth comparison between ENFP and INFP personality types. So, which one are you?

No two people are the same. Similar, yes. But exactly the same? No. Each person possesses his own unique personality and unique character traits that set him apart from the others. Differences in personalities are obvious in our daily lives. For instance, a woman is talking nonstop about something that made her happy at work, while her best friend is just listening with a small smile on her face. Sounds familiar? It is highly possible that the talkative woman is of the ENFP personality type, while her best friend is of the INFP personality type. Can two people with such opposite personalities be such good friends? Can different personalities ensure good relationships? Read on to find out.

Based on the study undertaken by accomplished Swiss psychiatrist Carl Jung, a mother-daughter duo by the names of Katharine Cook Briggs and Isabel Briggs Myers developed a psychometric questionnaire that would measure the differences between people based on their decision-making and perception of the world. Called the Myers-Briggs Type Indicator (MBTI for short), it specified 16 broad personality types that were based on extensive assessment of different people's different ways of making decisions and perceiving a variety of situations. The ENFP and INFP personality types are two of the sixteen personality types classified by MBTI.

ENFP

INFP

E= Extraversion

I= Introversion

N= iNtuition

N= iNtuition

F= Feeling

F= Feeling

P= Perceiving

P= Perceiving

Description Of the Two Personalities

People with an ENFP type of personality are very enthusiastic, bright, passionate, and friendly. Often called the 'Inspirers', ENFPs are wonderful at motivating and encouraging not only themselves, but also others. They are passionate about everything that they choose to do, and more than often, end up being very good at whatever it may be. Excited about life in general, ENFPs trust their intuition more than anything else. For them, their gut feeling comes first, followed by their personal belief system. Everything else takes a backseat. Their life is more than often an open book, and they don't hesitate in voicing their thoughts and emotions in front of others. In fact, they are comfortable while doing so.

People with an INFP type of personality are creative, bright, gentle, and shy. Though equally passionate about what they choose to do, INFPs are curious in nature, and yet shy, often reserved, making it difficult for others to assess them. However, they tend to open up to people they are close to, such as friends or family. INFPs are not very people-centric. They don't mind being alone with their thoughts, and often enjoy their own company. Though intuition is important for INFPs too, they first see how it fits into their personal value system, and only then do they go ahead with executing whatever it may be.

Personality Traits

As we mentioned in brief before, ENFPs and INFPs are equally passionate and yet considerably different, based on their decision-making habits as well as how they perceive the world around them. Let us assess the primary characteristics of ENFPs and INFPs.

Nature

ENFPs are complete social animals. They love to be around people and love to make everyone around them as excited as they are, about anything. They are always thinking of new ideas, and are very passionate about connecting with those around them on an inter-personal level. ENFPs love to have many friends, and try to bring out the best in everyone they come in contact with. This nature gives the impression of being "full of life", or having unlimited energy and enthusiasm.

INFPs give the impression of being calm, quiet, and reserved. They are equally passionate about what they do, but choose to do it quietly and not seek any sort of attention. Called the 'Idealists', INFPs are often misunderstood by other personality types because of their tendency to remain behind the scenes. However, they are loyal to the ones they are comfortable with, and share their feelings and emotions only with a select few, unlike ENFPs. INFPs are gentle and sensitive, and try their best to spot the best in everyone and everything. They are creative, often artistic, and spiritual. They prefer spending time with their own thoughts than being with people they are not comfortable with.

Intuition

ENFPs trust their intuition more than anything else. Their thoughts and actions are often more abstract than solid, and this may lead to them taking incorrect decisions. However, ENFPs let their intuition guide them through life. They like to focus on all the possibilities of any situation rather than observing the concrete details. ENFPs take decisions based primarily on their intuition, and then see how it fits in their personal beliefs and core values.

For INFPs, their personal value system comes first. Whenever they take any decision, they first assess how they feel about it, and how it fits into their principles. However, INFPs let their intuition guide them while assessing people, which is more than often very accurate. INFPs too, are more abstract than concrete, as their ENFP cousins.

Feeling

For ENFPs, emotions and feelings come first. They prefer listening to their heart and not their mind, and often take decisions based on the same. They let their emotions and feelings guide their actions and judgments, rather than concrete reality. Sometimes, they tend to choose their emotions over logic, which may not always be a wise decision.

For INFPs, their actions and decisions have to be in sync with their core values and personal ethics, and also keep everyone around them happy. Their personal value system, too, is built on the hope of ensuring harmony in the world around them.

Perceiving

ENFPs tend to shun mundane daily tasks, instead focusing on what is different and exciting. They are happy-go-lucky, and ignore the small details of everyday life, choosing to focus more on the bigger, futuristic picture. They are fiercely independent, and cannot bear the thought of being controlled by someone else. As long as they have their freedom, and the ability to express their creativity, they are enthusiastic and passionate about that particular task. However when restrictions are applied to the same, ENFPs lose interest quickly.

INFPs too value their independence. They are flexible and accommodating until the world around them is in sync with their personal beliefs. If any situation or person acts in a way that threatens their core ethics, INFPs can lash out in the most unexpected manner. They are perfectionists and strive to perform in the best way they can, and shun the limelight at the same time. In such cases if they are being controlled by someone else, they lose interest in that task.

Differences Between ENFP and INFP

ENFP

INFP

Nature

Extremely outgoing and sociable

Reserved, quiet

Also known as

Inspirers, Advocates

Idealists, Dreamers

Leadership skills

Good leadership skills

Prefer adopting a less conspicuous role

Opening up emotionally

Open about their feelings and emotions

Reveal emotions only to a select few.

In case of conflicts

Try to solve problems peacefully with humor and goodwill

Take a stand against problems that threaten personal ethics, or retreat.

Working style

Prefer working around people, don't like solitary tasks

Don't mind solitary tasks as long as creative freedom is not compromised.

Other personality traits

Can seem introverted at times, especially while thinking

Seem extroverted around selected people

Impulsiveness

Take impulsive decisions

Less impulsive as compared to ENFPs, tend to assess the situation carefully first.

Relationships: Are ENFPs and INFPs Compatible With Each Other?

Considering that the two personality types are so different from each other, it would be hard to just assume if ENFPs and INFPs are compatible with each other or not. Sure, the common belief is that opposites attract. However, is it really true? If it is, then how and why?

Why are ENFPs and INFPs attracted to each other?

ENFPs love to talk, and can indulge in talking about anything and everything endlessly. On the contrary, INFPs prefer listening rather than talking, which makes them wonderful listeners, making the two personalities perfect for one another.

Every person tends to admire a quality which is absent in himself, but present in a partner. Extroverts admire the quiet, reassuring attitude of the introvert, as well as the calm confidence that introverts seem to have. On the other hand, introverts are often captivated by the extrovert's ability to talk endlessly and be so sociable. This tends to attract them to one another.

Since both personalities rely on intuition, ENFPs and INFPs can have deep discussions about anything and everything in life. They are on the same wavelength when it comes to intuition, and both will make future plans together, weave dreams for each other, and help the other pursue those dreams. They will communicate their love through offbeat and unconventional actions, which will keep the spark alive in their relationship.

Both ENFPs and INFPs are caring, sensitive, gentle, and kind. Each will always look out for the other and will have lesser misunderstandings than people of other personality types, as they will strive to resolve conflicts or differences in the most harmonious way possible.

What can go wrong in an ENFP-INFP relationship?

Both ENFPs and INFPs detest mundane, daily tasks and quickly get bored with a routine. In a relationship, one partner may have to undertake certain household tasks which may be boring for both. In such a case, the person undertaking the routine jobs may experience stress and frustration, which might jeopardize the relationship.

ENFPs and INFPs have a different idea of fun―ENFPs like to go out and socialize, and INFPs may prefer staying in with a novel. In such a case, there is chance for conflict as one partner may always have to compromise in order to keep the other happy.

ENFPs like impulsive actions―impulsive dinner plans, impulsive trips, or even an impulsive movie date. On the other hand, INFPs are less impulsive, and prefer to assess the circumstances properly before taking any decision. In such a case, conflict may arise.

We have seen the reasons why ENFPs and INFPs might be attracted to one another, and we have also seen what might go wrong in the relationship. As is with all relationships, it takes works from both sides for the relationship to work successfully. With a little bit of give-and-take, ENFPs and INFPs can be very compatible. On the other hand, if no side is ready to compromise even a little for the other, the relationship cannot work.

Ideal Career Choices

Based on their personalities, ENFPs can adopt a more public-facing career. They are great at building inter-personal relationships, and can talk their way into (or out of!) almost anything. ENFPs are also very creative, intelligent, bright and empathetic, and should pick a career that will not let these qualities get undermined. More than anything, they should avoid jobs that include very detailed, analytical, routine tasks.

Best career choices for ENFPs:

Entrepreneur

Actor

Writer/Journalist

Television reporter

Politician

Doctor

Artist

Psychologist/Counselor

Social worker

Teacher

INFPs are sensitive, kind, and intelligent, and tend to lean towards a career that will help them make a difference to the world. They don't need the limelight, but prefer doing a great job from backstage instead. INFPs also value their independence and don't like to compromise with their personal ethics, and hence, should choose a career that values their independence, too. They are creative and bright, and have great written communication skills, and should channelize these qualities in order to make a difference.

Best career choices for INFPs:

Artist

Religious worker

Psychiatrist

Teacher

Philosopher

Musician

Designer

Librarian

Publisher/Editor

Famous People of the ENFP Personality Type

Daniel Radcliffe

Ellen DeGeneres

Jennifer Aniston

Mark Twain

Meg Ryan

Robert Downey Jr.

Salman Rushdie

Sandra Bullock

Will Smith

Walt Disney

Famous People of the INFP Personality Type

Albert Camus

Audrey Hepburn

C.S. Lewis

Jim Morrison

J.K. Rowling

Johnny Depp

J.R.R. Tolkien

Kurt Cobain

Princess Diana

William Shakespeare

ENFPs and INFPs are certainly unique in their own way. The two personalities are so similar in many ways, and yet so different, too. So, do you happen to be either an ENFP or an INFP?